Climate change pace gathering steam

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"You know we can reduce emissions a great deal. But, we have to, of course, desire to."

And speaking at Illinois State University, Donald Wuebbles says Illinois may see frequent hundred degree heat waves, a month of 90 degree days every summer, and more extreme weather events such as floods and droughts by the end of the century. There has been little political appetite for change because the most serious effects of the rise in temperatures such as a one to four foot rise in sea levels are decades away. But, Wuebbles says now is the time to work on the issue.

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"Some of the things like Chicago is doing like planting more trees downtown not only makes the downtown more attractive, but actually causes a cooling effect that is useful and helps keep the urban heat island effect, helps minimize it."

Wuebbles says roof gardens can also reduce energy use. Wuebbles says the U.S and Russia are doing very little to alter the scenarios. He says China and India are rapidly increasing carbon emissions, though at least China has begun planning to convert coal fired power plants to renewable energy.